Due to the pandemic, lockdown and closure of schools, children have become used to spending all their time at home without doing enough physical activity. And they have become addicted to digital screen fun rather than playing outdoors. No matter how much you say, ride a bicycle outside, come play with friends, race, it is fun that anything can make your eyes shine!
We children used to spend hours playing with our friends in the streets, at school or in the parks and this was our fun. Whereas nowadays children do not enjoy games with physical activity! And sometimes even if you go to the park forcefully, you need a mobile phone as soon as you enter the house. For this reason, children these days easily fall prey to complex health problems at an early age.
If your child is also overweight due to a lack of an active lifestyle or eating too much fatty junk food, then you need to prevent them from becoming fat and developing high blood pressure problems. Along with improving a child's lifestyle habits, parents should also keep in mind that desirable lifestyle modifications can do a lot but only when all family members are involved.
Inactive lifestyle
According to research, nine out of ten cases of high blood pressure in children and adolescents are due to an inactive lifestyle, eating too much sweet and salty food and being overweight. The international team's findings were based on children aged 6 to 16 with high blood pressure across Europe. Parents should limit children's screen time, including TV and social media, even if you have to show some strictness to follow the rule. You have to focus on feeding them healthy and homemade food regularly. To keep their bodies fit, healthy, and in shape, children should be motivated to exercise along with being physically active.
Hypertension and obesity
Childhood hypertension is becoming more common due to increasing obesity in children. The fat around the belly, which is called the 'love handle' in adults, is the most harmful to health.
Fifteen per cent of obese children are hypertensive, and 5 per cent of overweight children have or may have high blood pressure, while on the other hand, it is less than 2 per cent of normal-weight children. Childhood obesity and high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in later life. Children who are following such an unhealthy lifestyle may exhibit symptoms such as headache, nose bleeds, vision loss, poor performance in school, difficulty concentrating, shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heartbeat and fainting.
What to do for improvement?
Change the diet of children
To improve the health of the child; the diet includes increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Include high-fiber foods in their diet. You can order carrot cakes and dry cakes for your child through cake delivery in Bangalore or wherever you live to make your child have veggies in delicious form. Cut down on their salt and sugar intake, ready-made drinks and processed foods, and the fat found in burgers, pizza, chicken nuggets, chips and ready-to-eat meals.
Movement
The more active the childhood, the sharper the mind and healthier the body. Youngsters should do at least one hour of moderate to intense workouts every day. They can play any team game. You can do physical activities like jogging, cycling or swimming. It is not right for children to indulge in sedentary activity for more than two hours per day. Monitoring and monitoring weight, eating habits and exercise routines can help keep track of children's progress. Remember, you have to interact with kids, so try to keep the process engaging and positive so that your child doesn't feel pressured or stressed. The child can also be involved in group activities, such as competitive team play plans with friends and family.
Keep checking with the doctor.
There was a time when hypertension was only related to adults, but now children are also developing its symptoms. Early diagnosis of hypertension is important, especially in children. Its symptoms can be managed in time with lifestyle changes and medicines. High blood pressure once a year, regardless of symptoms.